I along with Senators Forrester, Goss, and Queen voted against Senate Bill 1209 this week. The bill effectively establishes monopoly status for telecom and cable businesses over broadband. As we know all too well, these companies have no interest in expanding broadband internet connectivity to the more rural areas of our State. This legislation will prevent local municipalities from stepping into the giant hole vacated by the telecoms and cable businesses and stop our municipalities from providing broadband access to our communities. Access to broadband internet is an important tool to help communities attract and maintain business opportunities and we should not be passing legislation to stifle that access.

WCU Grant

Yesterday, the Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded $37,000 to the WCU Kimmel School Construction Management Program (Camp Hardhat). This project will provide assistance to the College to conduct trainings and support for up to 60 young men and women in high schools throughout the region who are probably not college-bound and have an interest in the construction trades.

Highlands Plateau

This week, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar named Highlands Plateau a National Recreation Trail and incorporated it into the National Trails System. The announcement stated: “The 5-mile network of continuous walking trails connects natural areas and historic sites for educational and recreational opportunities. Straddling the Eastern Continental Divide in a temperate rainforest, the area boasts the highest floral and faunal diversity in North America.”

Rockslides

According to a study by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the recent rockslides that shutdown Interstate 40 and US 64 cost taxpayers and residents $197 million beyond the cost to clean up and repair those sections of the roads. Depending on the size of the business, local businesses saw transportation costs increase $3,000-$60,000. The study also found that business activity decreased 25-30%.